School staff can use the AI Image Generator in Schoolbox to create images by simply typing in a description. This feature must first be enabled by your school's Superuser on the AI Services page. For setup instructions, Superusers should see the guide on Set Up the AI Image Generator (for Superusers).
You can create unique, engaging visuals for topics like news, lesson content, and unit planners - directly in Schoolbox without needing to upload or search for images elsewhere. Just use any image dropzone or the Embed Resourcesicon in the Rich Text Editor.
This saves time, ensures originality, and allows you to quickly create visuals that match your specific content needs, all within the platform.
Generate images using the AI Image Generator in the image dropzone
To generate an image using the AI Image Generator by clicking or dropping an image in the image dropzone in Schoolbox, let’s use the example of attaching a ‘feature image’ when creating a News post.
In Schoolbox, select the News icon from the top menu. This opens the ‘News Feed’ page for you.
Then, select the plus icon. This opens the ‘Create news’ page for you.
In Feature Image, select Click or drag here to attach a feature image. This opens the ‘Upload File’ pop-up window.
Select Image Generator. The ‘Generate an Image’ panel appears.
If you want to start with an existing image to refine or add to it, select Click or drag here to add an image prompt to add an image from your computer. When done, select Open. This lets you refine your own image using the AI Image Generator.
Next, write keywords to describe or refine the image you want the AI to create, or improve/edit an existing description to make the image result more accurate or detailed. For example: “realistic science lab with students.”
Then, in Size, choose a size from the drop-down list:
Square
Landscape (default)
Portrait
Next, in Style, choose a style for the image from the drop-down list:
Background
Cartoon
Oil painting
Photorealistic
Pop Art
Sketch
Surrealism
Wide Angle
Vector Art
When done, select Enter or the Generate Image icon . This generates an image for you to preview and upload. Note: You can add more keywords to better describe or refine the image. A new image is generated each time you select Enter or the Generate Image icon .
When done, select Upload. This uploads the feature image(s) as a PNG file.
Select Save to add the tile to the class page.
You’ve successfully used the AI Image Generator to create and attach an image.
Notes:
You can select and upload multiple images from the AI Image Generator. To do this, select the checkbox next to each image in the list.
To download an image, select the Download icon .
Generate AI Images in the Rich Text Editor
To generate an image and/or text using the AI Image Generator from a Rich Text Editor, let’s use the ‘News’ component again as an example:
In Schoolbox, select the News icon from the top menu. This opens the ‘News Feed’ page for you.
Then, select the plus icon. This opens the ‘Create news’ page for you.
Next, in Body, select the Embed Resources icon . This opens the ‘Upload Files’ pop-up window.
Select Image Generator. The ‘Generate an Image’ panel appears.
You can enter keywords to have the AI Image Generator create an image for you. If you want to use your image and refine it in the AI Image Generator, select Click or drag here to add an image prompt to add an image from your computer to use it as the prompt for generating an image. When done, select Open. This lets you refine your own image using the AI Image Generator.
Next, write a description of the image you want the AI to create, or improve/edit an existing description to make the image result more accurate or detailed. For example, “A student reading under a tree” or “A simple calendar icon in blue”.
Then, in Size, choose a size from the drop-down list:
Square
Landscape (default)
Portrait
Next, in Style, choose a style for the image from the drop-down list:
Background
Cartoon
Oil painting
Photorealistic
Pop Art
Sketch
Surrealism
Wide Angle
Vector Art
When done, select Enter or the Generate Image icon . This generates an image for you to preview and upload. Note: You can add more keywords to better describe or refine the image. A new image is generated each time you select Enter or the Generate Image icon .
When done, select Upload. This uploads the image(s) as PNG files.
You’ve successfully used the AI Image Generator to generate an AI image in the Rich Text Editor.
Notes:
You can select and upload multiple images. To do this, select the checkbox next to each image in the list.
When generating AI images for Schoolbox, a well-structured prompt is key to getting the results you want. By being specific and providing clear instructions on the various aspects of the image, you can guide the AI to create a visual that matches your educational content.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the key components of an effective prompt:
1. Subject and Action
This is the most crucial part of your prompt. Be as specific as possible about the main focal point of your image and what it is doing.
Be Specific: Instead of a generic 'a student,' specify 'a high school student with black hair and glasses.'
Describe the Action: What is the subject doing? 'A student is sketching in a notebook.' Or 'A teacher is explaining a concept using a digital whiteboard.'
Include Multiple Subjects: If your image needs more than one person or object, describe their relationship and actions. 'Two children are building a sandcastle on the beach, laughing together.'
2. Style (Format and Artistic Style)
This dictates the overall look and feel of your image. There are options to select some styles using the dropdown menu. You can also leave this and suggest your own style. This is where you can specify if you want a photograph, a painting, a sketch, or a digital illustration.
Photographic: Use terms like 'a photograph,' 'cinematic photo,' 'macro shot,' 'realistic,' or 'stock photo.'
Artistic/Illustrative: Be specific about the medium or style. 'Oil on canvas,' 'watercolor painting,' 'pencil sketch,' 'charcoal drawing,' 'digital painting,' or 'vector art.'
Specific Artistic Movements: For a more unique look, you can reference specific art styles. 'Impressionist painting,' 'pop art,' 'anime style,' 'Pixar style,' 'street art mural.'
3. Mood and Tone
This sets the emotional atmosphere of the image. The mood can influence everything from the colours to the lighting.
Specify the Feeling: Use evocative words. 'Joyful,' 'calm,' 'mysterious,' 'energetic,' 'serious,' 'whimsical,' or 'nostalgic.'
Connect to the Subject: The mood should align with the subject and action. A picture of a quiet library might be 'serene,' while a sports scene would be 'dynamic' or 'energetic.'
4. Lighting
Lighting is a powerful tool for setting the mood and highlighting the subject.
Describe the Source and Type: 'Natural light from a window,' 'dramatic studio lighting,' 'soft golden hour light,' 'bright fluorescent lights,' or 'backlit.' Time of Day: 'Morning light,' 'late afternoon,' 'dusk,' or 'at night.'
Shadows: You can also specify the type of shadows. 'Long, dramatic shadows' or 'subtle, soft shadows.'
5. Colours
You can guide the AI towards a specific colour palette to match your branding or the content's theme.
Primary Colours: Use terms like 'vibrant colours,' 'monochromatic,' 'pastel palette,' 'earth tones,' or 'cool blue and green hues.'
Specific Hues: You can even name the colours you want. 'A colour scheme of deep blues, burnt oranges, and soft greys.'
School Colours: A Superuser might have defined a system prompt to guide use of the colours. These can be over-ridden by your prompt.
6. Framing and Composition
This aspect tells the AI where to place the subject and how much of the scene to show.
Shot Type:
Close-up: Focuses on a face or a small detail.
Medium Shot: Shows the subject from the waist up.
Full Shot: Shows the entire subject from head to toe.
Wide Shot: Captures the subject and a broad view of the setting.
Camera Angle:
Low Angle: Makes the subject look powerful or tall.
High Angle (Overhead): Makes the subject look small or vulnerable.
Eye-Level: A neutral, straightforward view.
Compositional Rules: You can reference classic photography rules. 'Rule of thirds,' 'leading lines,' 'symmetrical composition,' or 'central composition.'
Examples Putting It All Together
Prompt 1 (Complex and Detailed): A cinematic photo of a young, diverse group of students working collaboratively on a complex maths problem in a sunlit, modern library. The mood is calm and focused. Use a warm colour palette with soft, natural light coming through large windows. The framing is a medium shot, with the students in the centre of the frame, showing their engaged expressions.
Prompt 2 (Simpler, Stylized): An anime-style digital painting of a girl with bright pink hair flying on a book through a cloudy sky. The mood is whimsical and adventurous. Use a cool pastel colour scheme. The framing is a wide shot from a low angle, making her and the book appear larger than life.
Size and Style
Making a selection for these dropdown boxes is optional when generating an AI image. The below chart can be used as a guide to understanding the available styles.
Style
Background
A simple, unobtrusive backdrop that enhances the subject without drawing focus — soft gradients, muted tones, or subtle textures.
Cartoon
Bright, bold colours with clean outlines, simplified features, and exaggerated expressions — like a hand-drawn animation or comic strip.
Oil Painting
Rich, textured brushstrokes with visible paint layers, warm tones, and a traditional fine art style resembling classic oil on canvas.
Photorealistic
Highly detailed, true-to-life rendering with realistic lighting, shadows, and textures — like a high-resolution photograph.
Pop Art
Bold, vibrant colours with strong contrasts, halftone patterns, and graphic elements — inspired by 1960s pop culture and artists like Andy Warhol.
Sketch
Loose, hand-drawn lines with minimal shading, pencil or ink style, focusing on form and outlines rather than full colour.
Surrealism
Dreamlike, illogical, or fantastical imagery with unexpected juxtapositions and abstract elements — inspired by artists like Salvador Dalí.
Wide Angle
A composition with an extended field of view, dramatic perspective, and spatial depth — like a photo taken with a wide-angle lens.
Vector Art
Clean, flat colours with sharp edges, minimal gradients, and a scalable, digital illustration style — often resembling Adobe Illustrator artwork.